Chapter 4 Fate and murder

When Zaya returned home, he mulled over Kalista's words. He removed his attire, leaving only his boxers, wrapping a towel around his waist, and headed to the swimming pool. Nonchalantly, he dropped the towel poolside, plunging into the water. The cool sensation pricked his skin, and his thoughts swirled with the possibilities Kalista had presented earlier regarding altering his destiny. Could the Moon Goddess, infallible as she was, actually be mistaken? The notion of not being bound to a witch thrilled him; the idea of a werewolf joining in matrimony with a witch had never appealed to him.

Footsteps approached the pool, and Zaya glanced toward the source with a scoff. "What are you doing here?" Kaleb demanded, standing squarely in front of Zaya.

Zaya raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'What am I doing here'? I'm swimming. Are you blind?"

Kaleb's temper flared. "Watch your tongue, little brother. It's time you started showing me some respect."

Disbelief etched across Zaya's face. "I'm not your brother. We share no blood," he declared, emerging from the pool and wrapping the towel around himself. "Speaking of respect, I believe you're the one who needs to respect me. After all, I am the heir to the throne and the future Alpha King," Zaya smirked, walking away from the pool area, leaving Kaleb seething.

Kaleb clenched his fists in anger, muttering, "Zaya has bitten off more than he can chew. I'll show him who I am."

***

"Why are we here?" Jango inquired, his expression marked by confusion.

"Just stay in the car and wait for me. I won't be long," Zaya replied.

"Can I come with you?" Faani began, but Zaya cut him off.

"No, stay in the car with Jango," he insisted.

As he stepped out of the car and traversed through the tall grass, Zaya sensed someone trailing him. Oddly, he couldn't discern the person's scent. This was perplexing since his olfactory senses were typically impeccable, making him the strongest in his pack. Nonetheless, he pressed forward, eventually encountering a mysterious girl seated on a large rock by the riverbank.

"You came," Kalista greeted with a smile, though it held a hint of a cryptic smirk on her face, leaving Zaya suspicious.

"Yes, I came. But not for whatever you're offering or planning. I'm here to tell you that I have no interest in your propositions," Zaya stated firmly. "It seems you're not a werewolf, so I urge you to leave this territory promptly."

Kalista's response caught Zaya off guard. "You had a dream, didn't you? A dream of your mate, rescuing her from her tormentor. A dream you've never had before," she said, rising and approaching Zaya. "Perhaps the Moon Goddess was right, and you will marry her. But what comes next? Do you think her people will simply let her go? There will be a great war if you don't end this union yourself, Zaya," Kalista continued, producing a talisman.

"If you're ready, take this talisman from me and toss it into the water. Then you'll-" Zaya interrupted her sharply.

"Stop it! You don't understand, do you? I don't care about the consequences. The Moon Goddess has spoken, and I'll stand by her decision," Zaya declared, turning away from Kalista, who concealed her anger. "As for the people hiding in the woods, if they're with you, they should leave this territory immediately. Otherwise, they'll face the consequences of defying me," he concluded before departing.

The following day, Zaya awoke with a throbbing headache. He glanced around, half-expecting another dream of her, just as he had experienced three nights before. However, he was met with disappointment. Why did he yearn for dreams of her? He wondered. He had dreamt of her only once, yet he couldn't shake the feeling. Kalista had mentioned something about Gracie having a tormentor, a concept he couldn't comprehend. After all, she was a witch.

A soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he commanded, and a male guard entered.

"Good morning, Alpha. Your father, the Alpha King, requests your immediate presence," the guard informed him.

Zaya stood from his bed. "What's so urgent that my father needs me now? I have many responsibilities today," he remarked.

"I'm afraid there's an urgent matter concerning a deceased maiden whose body was discovered," the guard replied, looking concerned.

"A dead maiden?" Zaya exclaimed in surprise. "How could she have died?" His worry deepened.

"We have no information yet," the guard admitted.

"I see. Father wants to see me, then?" Zaya inquired.

"Yes, Alpha. The King is waiting for you," the guard confirmed before exiting.

Zaya quickly bathed, dressed, and made his way to the King's court, where important matters were addressed. On the way, his mind raced, wondering why his father wanted to discuss the death of a maiden. He understood that he needed to stay informed about the kingdom, as he would soon assume the throne.

Upon entering the King's court, Zaya was met with the gaze of the elders, who murmured among themselves. Thanks to his sharp werewolf hearing, he could discern their hushed conversations.

"He was the last person to see her."

"How did he know her?"

Their whispered speculations left Zaya puzzled. Why were they entertaining such thoughts? He asked himself.

With a bow, he greeted the Alpha King, dropping to one knee. "Greetings, Alpha King," he said respectfully.

"Rise, my son," the King replied. Zaya complied, standing upright.

The King sighed deeply and began to speak. "We found the deceased maiden in the woods near the riverbank. She was covered in wounds and appeared to have been stabbed to death. We suspect murder."

Zaya's confusion grew. "What does that have to do with me?" he inquired.

"Bring in the maiden's body," the King ordered, and guards promptly brought in the body, shrouded in white linen from head to toe. They laid it in front of the assembly, allowing everyone to see.

Though the body emitted a faint odor, it was still bearable. "Take a look at the body," the King instructed Zaya.

"Why would I want to examine a dead maiden, Father?" Zaya questioned.

"Observe, young man. When I sit on the throne, I cease to be your father and become your King. Now, unveil the linen," the Alpha King commanded.

Approaching the body, Zaya slowly uncovered the linen, his eyes widening in shock as he beheld the maiden's face. "Kalista?" he muttered, utterly bewildered.

They had met just yesterday at the riverbank. How could she be dead the following morning, her body bearing deep lacerations? Who could have committed such a heinous act? His thoughts raced.

"Who did this, Father? Who killed her?" Zaya asked, his curiosity piqued.

"That brings us to the question at hand, young alpha," one of the elders began, "What were you doing at the riverbank last night?"

A sinking feeling settled in Zaya's stomach. They were suspecting him in her death. Why were they harboring such thoughts? Was he now a prime suspect? Who had killed Kalista, and what could have happened if he had accepted the talisman and carried out her instructions?